How many days · Lima · Peru
How many days do you need in Lima?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: McKay Savage, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Lima, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers the historic centre, Miraflores, Barranco and Huaca Pucllana, with time for great meals. Three days adds the Larco Museum and MALI; four days allows Pachacamac, the Palomino Islands or a long day trip to Paracas.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 5
- Daylight
- 11.4 h (Jun) to 12.8 h (Jan)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Plaza Mayor, Monastery of San Francisco, Larco Museum and Cathedral of Lima |
| 2 days | Good | Cathedral of Lima, Huaca Pucllana and Malecón de Miraflores |
| 3 days | Ideal | Barranco and Puente de los Suspiros, Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI) and Magic Water Circuit |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Pachacamac |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Pachacamac and Palomino Islands |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Lima add up to roughly 15–18 hours of visiting time — about 2–3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Barranco and Puente de los Suspiros (2–3 hours), Larco Museum (2 hours) and Malecón de Miraflores (1–2 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Plaza Mayor | 1 hour | Historic Centre |
| Monastery of San Francisco | 1 hour | Historic Centre |
| Larco Museum | 2 hours | Pueblo Libre |
| Cathedral of Lima | 1 hour | Historic Centre |
| Huaca Pucllana | 1 hour | Miraflores |
| Malecón de Miraflores | 1–2 hours | Miraflores |
| Barranco and Puente de los Suspiros | 2–3 hours | Barranco |
| Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI) | 2 hours | Historic Centre |
| Magic Water Circuit | 1.5 hours | Parque de la Reserva |
| Convent of Santo Domingo | 45 minutes | Historic Centre |
| Barrio Chino | 1–2 hours | Historic Centre |
| Mercado de Surquillo No. 1 | 1 hour | Surquillo |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Plaza Mayor and Monastery of San Francisco |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Magic Water Circuit |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Pachacamac and Palomino Islands |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in June (about 11.4 hours of daylight) than in January (about 12.8 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Lima with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Lima?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. Two days covers the historic centre, Miraflores, Barranco and Huaca Pucllana, with time for great meals. Three days adds the Larco Museum and MALI; four days allows Pachacamac, the Palomino Islands or a long day trip to Paracas.
+Is a week too long in Lima?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Pachacamac and Palomino Islands.